Tongs for immersing tinners  articles



(No Model.) 2 sheetssheen 1'. Y

A. L. VUILL'IER, TONGS FOR IMMERSING TINNBRS ARTICLESr *im I 2 Sheets-SheetV 2.

(Nb Model.) f I A. L. vmLLm.. y TONGS FOR IMMERSING TINNERS ARTICLES.

" Patented oct. 29,1895.

raros..

AIM LOUIS VUILLIER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

TONGS FOR IMMERSING TINNERS ARTICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,767, dated October 29, 1895.

Application filed July 27, 1895.

,To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AIM LOUIS VUILLIER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Tongs for lmmersing Tinners Articles, of

shall be capable of holding and immersing a number of similar articles at one time and yet b eeasily controlled by a single operator, thus effecting a great saving in the number of workmen required, fuel consumed, and a consequent reduct-ion of expense in the process and operation of `tinning or retinning.

It is usual in tinning or retinning articles to immerse them first in a bath of molten tin,

after which they are transferred to the greasepot and immersed for a short length of time in a bath of hot grease.' The effect of such immersion is to partially remelt the coating on-the surface of the article and to spread the same evenly and uniformly, removing any surplus tin that may adhere to certain portions of the article and producing a smooth and even surface. It is important that the period during which the articles remain in the grease bath should be correctly timed. If left in the bath too long, too much tin will be removed therefrom, and if not immersed sufficiently long the coating will not be uniform and smooth or even. It is therefore necessary `to be able to handle the articles quickly and with ease and it has been with thisV point in view that I have constructed the present form of tongs, which I shall now proceed to describe. Y

My invention consistsin the-novel combinations, details of construction, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth,

'and pointed out in the claims.

Serial No. 557,371. (No model.)

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is p a front view of my improved tongs, illustrating the manner in which'anumberof articles are immersed thereby in the greasepot. Fig. `2 is a side elevation of my improved tongs complete with the clam pin g-arms closed. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken from the opposite side with the clamping-arms open. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustable bearing-collar for the rock-shaft and the pivoted clamp-arm. Fig. 6 is a detached view of the rock-shaft and its eccentric and operating crank arm or lever; Fig. 7, a similar view of the linkinterposed between the eccentric and the pivoted clamping-arm; Fig. 8, an end view of the pivoted supporting`-hook and its swiveled block or yoke. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the temporary holding-frame. Fig. lO is a side elevation of the same.

Similar numerals of reference indicate co rresponding parts in the iigures of the drawings.

1 represents the main supporting rod or bar of my improved tongs, provided with a longitudinal groove 2 for the purpose of keying the several collars and bearings hereinafter described to said supporting-rod for preventing them from turning thereon. At a suitable point intermediate the ends of the rod 1 the main supporting-hook 3 is swiveled thereto in the following manner: A swivelingblock 4. is provided with a central aperture or perforation 5, which receives the main supporting-rod l, and is also provided with laterally-projecting oppositely-arranged studs 6, adapted to receive the lower ends of two metallic straps or arms 7, secured at their upper opposite ends upon opposite sides of the dat shank 8 of the main supporting-hook 3 and bolted thereto by means of the through-bolts 9, passing through both arms 7 and the shank 8 of said hook, being secured by nuts lO, as shown. 'The' block 4 is held in place and at the desired point on the rod l by means of two collars 11, one upon either side 'of the block 4, said collars l1 surrounding the rod l and being secured thereto by means of setscrews 1 2.

13 indicates a traveling pulley running on an overhead track 11i and mounted in a suitable hanger 15, having at its lower end a loop ICO . 16 for engaging the main supporting-hook 3 porting-rod 1 is located one of the clampingarms 17 of the tongs, which is made from a piece of bar-iron, preferably rectangular in cross-section and provided at one end with a collar 18, which surrounds the main supporting-rod 1 and is keyed thereto for preventing its rotation thereon. The collar 18 is further held in place by means of a set-screw 19, by vmeans of` which the position of the clampingarm 17 may be adjusted lengthwise or longitudinally of the main supporting-rod 1 for the purpose which will appear.

2O and 21 indicate two of my clamping-bars, made from wrought or cast iron and provided with a series of V-shaped sockets or jaws 22 for engaging the articles to be tinned or retinned, there being ordinarily about twelve of such V-shaped jaws or sockets, though the number may be increased or diminished at the option of the manufacturer. The bars and 2l are each provided with a central extension 23, which has a central aperture corresponding in shape and adapted to receive the clamping-arm 17. The clamping-bars 2 0 and 2l are thus adjustable lengthwise of the clamping-arm 17 and may be held at any required point by means of set-screws 24.

25 indicates a collar or bearing which isadjustable lengthwise of the main supportingrod 1, to which it is keyed, and is held at any desired point by means of set-screws 26.

27 is a short clamping-arm projecting downwardly from said collar or bearing 25, similar in cross-section to the arm 17, and also provided with an adjustable clamping-bar 28, having a set-screw 2 9 for holding the same in place.

30 indicates a pivoted clamping-armmounted upon a bolt 31, passing through it and through the bearing or collar 25 and held in place by means of a nut 32. A clamping-bar 33, similar to the bars 20, 21, and 28, is mounted on the arm 30 and adjusted by means of a set-screw 34, the arm 30 being bent, as indicated at 35, to bring the bar 33 into line with the other similar bars of the series.

36 indicates a rock-shaft which is journaled in a bearing formed in an extension 37 of the collar 25 and secured in place by means of a nut 38. Upon one end ot' the rock-shaft 36 is provided an eccentric 39, and beyond the outside of said eccentric is a crank or lever 40 for operating the same. A link 41 surrounds said eccentric at one end and at its other end connects with the inner end of the pivoted clamp-arm 30. Said link 41 is provided with a stop or short stud 42, which is adapted to engage other stops 43 and 44, projecting radially from a hub or disk 45, which is formed at the inner end of the crank-arm or lever 40, the purpose of `which is to limit the revolution of the rock-shaft 36, and thereby to limit, also, the throw of the clamping-arm 30.

The operation of the device is as follows: By turning the crank-arm or lever 40 in one direction the pivoted clamping arm 30 is thrown outwardly, carrying the clamping-bar 33 away from its opposing bar 21. When in this position, the sheet-metal articles 46 to be tinned or retinned may readily be inserted and brought into engagement with the V- shaped socket or jaw 22 in the bars 20, 21, and 28. When the articles are all in such position, the crank-arm 40 isV reversed, thereby throwing the clamping-arm 30 and its bar 33, also, into engagement with the articles mentioned, thereby firmly clamping said articles in place and preventing their escape while in the bath, it being impossible for the clamping-bar 33 to be accidentally withdrawn by reason of the action of the rock-shaft and its eccentric above described.

47 indicates a sliding weight, which is adjustable lengthwise of the main supportingrod 1 and is adapted to be held at any desired point by means of a set-screw 48. 49

indicates a handle attached to the end of the main supporting-rod 1, by which the operator is enabled to control the position of the tongs.

By reason of the tongs being supported at a point intermediate the length of the main supporting-bar 1 by the hook 3 and providing such supporting-bar with the adjustable weight 47 the rod 1 may be nicely balanced and the extra weight of the articles to be tinned or retinned counterbalanced by shifting the adjustable weight 47. Thus the operator by grasping the handle 49 may readily and easily tilt the tongs for immersing the articles in the grease-pot orlifting them therefrom in a manner which will be readily understood. An eye or hook 50, clamping-collar 5l, and set-screw 52 provide for the attachment of a suitable supporting-chain for holding the tongs elevated, when desired.

In Figs.9 and 10 I have shown a temporary rack or cage, which is composed of three or more pieces of wood 53 in parallel relation to each other, connected at several points by threaded bolts or rods 54, as indicated. The positions of the outer pieces 53 may be adjusted nearer to or farther from the central piece 53 by means of suitable nuts 55. The pieces 53 are each provided with a corresponding series of notches or depressions, which are located at a distance apart corresponding to the distance between the sockets or jaws 22 in the clamping-bars 20, 2l, 28, and 33 of the tongs. The object of making the pieces 53 adjustable toward and away from each other is to provide for different sizes of sheet-metal articles placed therein, and the object of the device as a whole is to enable such articles to be placed in Vthe same rela- IlO tive position which they will occupy when clamped by the tongs. The articles are temporarily placed in the notches in the pieces 53, and when it is desired to fill the tongs the clamping-bars are placed over the articles 46 until the jaws 22 engage said articles, when by operating the crank arm or lever 40 said articles are firmly clamped between the tongs and are now ready to be immersed, as above explained.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacriiicing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim i'sl. The combination with the main supporting rod, of several clamping armsl adjustable thereon, and provided with the slidable and adjustable clamping bars, arranged to operate in the manner specified.

2. The main supporting rod, in combination with a pair of clamping arms adjustable thereon, a pivoted clamping arm also adjustable thereon, and means for operating said pivoted arm, vfor the purpose substantially as described.

3. The main supporting rod, in combination with a pair of clamping arms, having a slidable adjustment thereon, a pivoted clamping arm also adjustable lengthwise upon said supporting rod, and a lever for operating said pivoted clamping arm journaled in a bearing adjustable upon the supporting rod, substantially as described.

4. The main supporting rod, in combination with two clamping arms, having a slidable adj ustment thereon, a pivoted clamping arm journaled in a collar and adjustable lengthwise upon said rod, a short transverse shaft also journaled in said collar and provided with an eccentric, a crank arm or lever for operating said shaft, and a link interposed between said eccentric and the pivoted clamping arm, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as described.

5. The main supporting rod, in combination with a series of clamping arms adjustable lengthwise upon said supporting rod, and a series of clamping bars adjustable upon said clamping arms, whereby the device may be adjusted to articles of different sizes, substantially as herein described.

6. The combination of the main supporting rod, the adjustable clamping arms and the clamping bars adjustable thereon, the supporting hook, and the swiveled block or yoke, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. The main supporting rod, the adjustable clamping arms thereon and the clamping 'bars adjustable upon said clamping arms, in cornbination with the supporting hook swiveled upon said rod, means for adjusting the position of said hook, and an adjustable weight mounted on said supporting rod for counterbalancing the weight of the articles carried by the clamping arms and bars, all arranged in the manner substantially as described.

8. The main supporting rod, the adjustable clamping arms thereon, and the clamping bars adjustable on said clamping arms, in combination with the supporting hook swiveled on said rod, means for adjusting the position of said hook, the adjustable weight mounted on said supporting rodl for counterbalancing the weight of the articles carried by the clamping arms and bars, and a handle connected with said supporting rod, whereby the tongs may be elevated and lowered and otherwise handled and controlled by the operator, in the manner spcciiied.

9. The main supporting rod, the adjustable clamping arms thereon, andthe clamping bars adjustable on said clamping arms, in combination with a sliding adjustable collar mounted on said rod, a clamp pivoted thereto, a rock shaft also mounted in said adjustable collar, and provided with an eccentric, a link interposed between said eccentric and the pivoted clamping arm, a crank arm or lever for operating said shaft, and a stop forv limiting the throw of said crank arm or lever, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as. my own I have hereto axed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AIM Louis VUILLIER. Witnesses:

A. H. VUILLIER, A. DEFRANCE. 

